Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

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The Homecoming festivities today on the Washington Redskins’ 80th Anniversary could merit its own special day of events and appearances.

But the Washington Redskins like to do things big, so fans were treated to the ceremonies prior to today’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

But on to the game.

The Panthers received the opening kickoff , which was downed in the FedExField end zone. On their very first play, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton found tight end Gary Barnidge for 13-yards and a first down, as their initial drive got off to a quick start.

But that drive ended seven plays later when the Panthers, who faced a 3rd and 8 from the Washington 37-yard line, were unable to convert on a bounced throw from Newton to tight end Greg Olsen.

The Redskins began their initial drive at their own 3-yard line after a great punt by Brad Nortman.

The drive didn’t look promising, however, as Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III missed on his first two passes and then found wide receiver Joshua Morgan for about five yards. But a roughing the passer penalty on Griffin III on defensive end Greg Hardy gave the Redskins 15 yards and a first down at their 23-yard line.

Two Alfred Morris runs later, and the Redskins faced another 3rd down, this time with six yards to go. Griffin III, from the shotgun, found Morgan on a slant route, who made a sliding catch in traffic and hung on to the ball for a 16-yard completion to their 43-yard line. The Redskins receivers dropped at least 10 passes last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, so you know they have something to prove this week.

On the next play, Morris rumbled ahead for a 16-yard gain, and then Griffin III rolled out and found tight end Logan Paulsen on an out route for 12 yards to the Carolina 29-yard line.

Griffin III took off on the next play for an eight-yard rush on the Redskins read-option; but on the next play, left tackle Trent Williams was flagged for holding, putting the ball on the 31. Two plays later, the Redskins faced a 3rd and 12 from the 31 when Griffin III passed to wide receiver Santana Moss on a screen pass that got two yards. Kicker Kai Forbath — who entered the game a perfect 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts this season — continued the streak with a 47-yard field goal, giving the Redskins an early 3-0 lead with 4:26 remaining in the quarter.

It was a 12-play, 68-yard drive that took 6:45 off the clock. The holding call really killed the momentum for the Redskins, who were getting first downs left and right prior to that play. But the scoring drive wouldn’t have even been possible without the personal foul on Hardy with the Redskins on their own 3-yard line, so each team gets an early break.

The Panthers began their second drive from their 31-yard line. Two plays later, they faced a 3rd and 1 from their 40 when a Newton keeper netted three yards and a first down. Newton, by the way, is huge — especially in his football pads. Four plays later, Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams turned the corner and ran 30 yards for a touchdown with 24 seconds left in the quarter, giving the Panthers a 7-3 lead after the extra point.

It was a seven-play, 69-yard drive; 60 of which were gained on the ground. These Panthers can gain huge chunks of yardage at a time

CHIME IN: What were your thoughts of the first quarter of action from today’s game? Feel free to comment below.